Early Childhood Educationhttp://mtpr.org
en"Capitol Talk": Medicaid Expansion, State Budget, Water Compact, And Gov. Babcockhttp://mtpr.org/post/capitol-talk-medicaid-expansion-state-budget-water-compact-and-gov-babcock
<p>This week on "Capitol Talk": The bitter fight in the House over <a href="http://mtpr.org/term/medicaid-expansion">Medicaid expansion</a>, the <a href="http://mtpr.org/term/state-budget">state budget</a> fights yet to come, the <a href="http://mtpr.org/term/flathead-water-rights-compact">Flathead water compact's</a> chances for passage, and the legacy of former <a href="http://mtpr.org/post/former-governor-tim-babcock-remembered-his-political-service-leadership">Governor Tim Babcock</a>, who passed away this week.Fri, 10 Apr 2015 22:57:36 +0000Sally Mauk33251 at http://mtpr.org"Capitol Talk": Medicaid Expansion, State Budget, Water Compact, And Gov. BabcockCapitol Talk: Infrastructure Funding, Medicaid Expansion, Guns On Campushttp://mtpr.org/post/capitol-talk-infrastructure-funding-medicaid-expansion-guns-campus
<p></p><p>This week on "Capitol Talk", Sally, Mike and Chuck cover pre-school education's tough reception at the legislature, the infrastructure funding debate, Medicaid expansion passions, and concealed carry on campus.</p><p>"Capitol Talk," our weekly legislative news and analysis program, appears on Fridays throughout the legislative session. MTPR's Sally Mauk is joined by Lee Newspapers reporters Chuck Johnson and Mike Dennison.<br /><br />Tune in to "Capitol Talk" on your radio every Friday during the session at 6:35 p.m. and again on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.<br />&nbsp;</p>Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:04:31 +0000Sally Mauk32086 at http://mtpr.orgCapitol Talk: Infrastructure Funding, Medicaid Expansion, Guns On CampusLawmakers Say Much Work Remains As Legislature Reaches Half-Way Pointhttp://mtpr.org/post/lawmakers-say-much-work-remains-legislature-reaches-half-way-point
<p></p><p>The Montana Legislature is at the half-way point of the scheduled 90-day session.</p><p>It’s more than just the numerical half-way point; it’s a key legislative deadline. All non-spending or non-tax bills had to meet the Day 45 deadline of being transmitted to the other chamber or they died.</p><p>Lawmakers will now have nearly a week off before they return to the Capitol to resume their work.</p><p>Yellowstone Public Radio’s Jackie Yamanaka talked to legislative leaders and the governor about the progress so far, and what lies ahead.</p>Fri, 27 Feb 2015 23:42:52 +0000Jackie Yamanaka - Yellowstone Public Radio31502 at http://mtpr.orgLawmakers Say Much Work Remains As Legislature Reaches Half-Way PointGov. Bullock's Preschool Program Faces GOP Oppositionhttp://mtpr.org/post/gov-bullocks-preschool-program-faces-gop-opposition
<p></p><p>Representative Tom Woods sent his kids to preschool after searching for a couple of months to find the right fit.</p><p>“I’ve got kids. I’ve been through this,” Woods said in a recent interview. “Preschool helped them.”</p>Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:45:20 +0000Michael Wright - Community News Service31312 at http://mtpr.orgGov. Bullock's Preschool Program Faces GOP OppositionEarly Head Start Coming To Bozeman, Helenahttp://mtpr.org/post/early-head-start-coming-bozeman-helena
<p>Early Head Start programs are coming to Bozeman and Helena for the first time.<br /><br />The non-profit, AWARE Incorporated will use a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to partner with local child-care agencies to make Early Head Start cheaper for low-income families.<br /><br />Melinda Wade Corso, Early Childhood Services Director, says infants and toddlers might be too young to read and write, but not to learn to sit quietly in class.<br />Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:07:52 +0000Christopher Allen29490 at http://mtpr.orgEarly Head Start Coming To Bozeman, HelenaRules Debates Dominate The First Week Of The Montana Legislaturehttp://mtpr.org/post/rules-debates-dominate-first-week-montana-legislature
<p></p><p>The 2015 Montana Legislature convened Jan. 5, and ceremonial and educational events welcomed the 150 lawmakers from all over the state to Helena.</p><p></p>Mon, 12 Jan 2015 01:27:43 +0000Michael Wright - Community News Service29434 at http://mtpr.orgRules Debates Dominate The First Week Of The Montana LegislatureLeaders Call For Bipartisanship On Legislature's Opening Dayhttp://mtpr.org/post/leaders-call-bipartisanship-legislatures-opening-day
<p>This was opening day for the 64th session of the Montana Legislature. There was the usual pomp and circumstance, but there was also some real history being made.</p><p>Republican Debby Barrett of Dillon became the first woman to take the gavel as Senate president. She was selected by her Republican colleagues during caucuses back in November, but the full Senate made it official Monday on a unanimous voice vote.</p><p>Barrett suggested that the legislature has lost some of&nbsp; its stature, and she aims to rectify that.</p>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:04:18 +0000Steve Jess & Jackie Yamanaka - Yellowstone Public Radio29153 at http://mtpr.orgLeaders Call For Bipartisanship On Legislature's Opening Day2015 Legislative Previewhttp://mtpr.org/post/2015-legislative-preview
<p></p><p>Here are some topics we’re sure to see from this year’s state legislative session starting on Jan. 5th.</p><p><strong>Medicaid Expansion</strong><br /><br />Governor Steve Bullock is still looking to get health care for the state’s 70,000 lowest-income members. Last session, he tried to expand Medicaid, but Republican members blocked it.<br /><br />This time, however, he’ll be promoting something called “Healthy Montana,” which is an alternative meant to use federal dollars to contract with a private insurer for negotiated rates. &nbsp;</p>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 22:41:03 +0000Madelyn Beck - Legislative News Service28670 at http://mtpr.org2015 Legislative PreviewGov. Bullock Explains His 2015 Legislative Prioritieshttp://mtpr.org/post/gov-bullock-explains-his-2015-legislative-priorities
<p></p><p></p><p>Montana Governor <a href="http://mtpr.org/term/steve-bullock">Steve Bullock</a> discusses Medicaid expansion, early-childhood education, infrastructure spending, <a href="http://mtpr.org/topic/montana-politics">the upcoming legislature</a>, and more with "Home Ground" host Brian Kahn.</p><p>Here are some highlights from the interview:</p><p><strong>Medicaid Expansion</strong></p><p>Gov. Bullock says the "Healthy Montana" plan is a unique solution that will insure thousands of Montanans and help relieve the burden of uncompensated care on small hospitals.</p>Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:00:00 +0000Brian Kahn28284 at http://mtpr.orgGov. Bullock Explains His 2015 Legislative PrioritiesDemocrats Hope To Shrink GOP Majorities In Montana Legislaturehttp://mtpr.org/post/democrats-hope-shrink-gop-majorities-montana-legislature
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">From the seat of his combine in the Helena Valley, Republican Senate candidate Joe Dooling talked about why he decided to run for the Legislature.</span></p><p>“I’m just wondering where all the grownups are,” he said.</p><p>The 2013 legislative session was marked by a split between conservatives and moderates in the Republican majority, at least one day of banging on tables and more than 70 vetoes from Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat. Dooling said he was frustrated by all of it.</p>Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:40:41 +0000UM School of Journalism26148 at http://mtpr.orgDemocrats Hope To Shrink GOP Majorities In Montana Legislature